Antonio Conte’s Chelsea had a comfortable night against Southampton last weekend, as they stepped into the FA Cup final this season, with a victory over the Saints. They are back in action in the domestic league this weekend, where they are still in with a chance to break into the top-4 this season. The Blues are currently 8 points off Liverpool and five points off Spurs, both of who are in the top-4 at the moment. They cannot afford to drop points from now to the end of the season, starting with their trip to Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The Swans are winless in their last five league games and are just four points off the drop zone, with just four games to go. Carlos Carvalhal will know that they are still not completely safe from relegation and will want his side to put on a solid performance in this game. Conte will be confident that his side can get the work done in this game and here is the predicted lineup he might field for this tie:
Team News:
The Blues will be without wing-back Marcos Alonso, who is suspended for violent conduct. Fellow defender David Luiz and midfielder Danny Drinkwater are both long-term absentees and will play no role in this game. Ethan Ampadu remains the only other absentee for Chelsea ahead of this game.
Expected lineup (3-4-3):
Defence:
Thibaut Courtois was not a part of the team that played the FA Cup tie against Southampton but should be back under the bar for the league tie against Swansea. Andreas Christensen was not used in that cup game but should be back in action this weekend, starting at the heart of the backline for Chelsea.
Antonio Rudiger had a decent outing in that game and will start to the left of the Danish youngster while Cesar Azpilicueta remains one of the first names on the team sheet for Chelsea and will start on the right side of the back-3.
Midfield:
N’Golo Kante is another regular in the first team and should start at the heart of the midfield for Chelsea. Cesc Fabregas was subbed off last weekend and could start alongside Kante, to add some creativity to the midfield.
With Alonso absent, Emerson Palmieri, who started the FA Cup tie, should keep his place as a left wing-back while Victor Moses has done enough to keep his place as a wing-back on the right flank.
Attack:
Olivier Giroud started against Southampton and found the back of the net. He should continue to lead the line and will be helped by Eden Hazard, the danger man for Swansea and Willian on either flank in attack.
Here is how they might line up:
